Newly detected noninsulin--dependent diabetes mellitus is shown to have changes in phospholipid structure of erythrocytic membranes: a fall in total phospholipids, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid, a trend to increasing lysophosphatidylcholine. The shifts go in parallel with lipid peroxidation activation. Carbohydrate metabolism compensation is not enough to eradicate the shifts. The process is also dependent on the properties of a sugar-reducing drug. Diabeton is recommended as beneficial in this respect, while metformin is efficient in combinations.